Code of Hearts

EMMET

I’ve always been the quiet, nerdy kid no one really noticed in school. For years, I hoped university would be different—that I’d somehow transform into the kind of guy who could turn heads with just a glance. But fate had other plans.

Getting into Sanria University’s elite app development program, the most prestigious in the state, felt like a dream come true. But it didn’t take long for reality to set in. Maintaining my scholarship meant a relentless cycle of assignments, quizzes, and exams, leaving zero time for parties or socializing.

While most students here are the pampered offspring of wealthy parents who never have to worry about tuition or grades, I’m the only son of a single mother who has sacrificed everything for my education. Principal Jameson wasted no time reminding me of that during our first meeting, where he delivered a thinly veiled threat: if my GPA dropped below 3.7, my scholarship would vanish. No pressure, right?

The weight of my mother’s efforts on my shoulders left no room for mistakes—or fun. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t find a way to make my grueling life more interesting. Since I was stuck in app development anyway, I decided to create something I’d enjoy building and others might find useful. That’s how Code of Hearts was born: an anonymous dating app exclusively for Sanria students.

The idea was simple—students could match with others anonymously, chat, and even seek advice through a dedicated advice section. When I launched it and shared it on the university forum, I expected maybe a handful of downloads. To my surprise, it hit 100 downloads in a single day. For a brief moment, I fancied myself a modern-day Cupid, helping people find love amidst the chaos of university life.

Oh, how wrong I was.

What started as an innocent idea quickly spiraled into something else entirely. Students loved the anonymity, but not for forming deep connections. The app turned into a hotspot for hookups, a thrill ride where no one knew who they were meeting until it was too late. At first, I considered taking it down. But the app brought in just enough money to ease my mom’s financial burden, so I let it slide.

Fast forward to today. The advice section, which had been dead since the app’s launch, suddenly had a new post. I stared at the screen, debating whether to click it. Against my better judgment, I opened the post.

“How to know if your boyfriend is cheating?”

The anonymous writer explained her situation:

“My boyfriend and I have been together since high school. Our parents are friends, and we’ve known each other since we were kids. But lately, he’s been distant, always on his phone, and barely talks to me. I checked his phone once and saw this app on it. Everyone knows why this app exists—for hookups. I’m terrified he’s cheating. Before I could check more, he caught me, called me toxic, and took his phone back. I feel like I’m losing my mind. Can someone please help?”

My first thought? This app wasn’t created for hookups! But I couldn’t deny that’s what it had become. And her boyfriend? Yeah, he was probably cheating.

Part of me felt responsible for her situation. I had the power to check the app’s data and confirm her suspicions, but was that even ethical? Instead, I decided to do what little I could: respond to her post.

“I’m no relationship expert, but from what you’ve shared, it sounds like he’s definitely cheating. My advice? Don’t let him get away with it. Hook up with someone hotter and make him realize your presence in his life was a privilege—and he just lost it.”

Satisfied with my unsolicited wisdom, I closed my laptop and headed to the supermarket.

That’s where I ran into Mehak.

Mehak is the queen bee of Sanria—rich, gorgeous, and commanding a massive friend group. We have three classes together, and though we’ve never exchanged a single word, she always acts like my presence personally offends her. The moment she saw me in the supermarket, her face twisted into that familiar look of disdain. I ignored her, paid for my groceries, and left as quickly as possible.

Back at my apartment, I noticed a new message request on Code of Hearts. Curious, I opened it.

The message was from a user named FragranceAnon:

“Will you be my revenge hookup, Mr. Not-a-Relationship-Expert?”